Mishima Wax Technique

These bowls take focus, research, and a bunch of time. To etch the bowls, the clay must maintain a "leather hard" state. I am commanded by the damp/dry condition of the piece. I paint in the graduated underglaze color, add a wax coating then "doodle" on them with a small cutting tool through color, to the clay. The line color is painted on in a broad brush, then, because of the wax coating, I wipe off the excess. I have tried touching up the designs after I wipe them clean. This gives them a newer look. but it is terribly time consuming. I am trying some without touching them up which give them a older look. I like that.

Search "Mishima with wax" on Youtube for a great demonstration by Amaco. 

 I use books on old decorations that list several periods of history. Some images are inspired by ancient Persia, Egypt, China, up to art deco of the early 20th century.  All the cultures in-between. From Sculpture on walls, and tablets, to rug designs, and wallpaper. These old books set up the plates like an encyclopedia of decoration in a culture.  They are my go to inspiration for these bowls. The tricky part really for me is what to do on the outside of the bowl. The complementary glazes to apply to the outside.  I have been thinking about some kind of minimal complementary Mishima design on the outside.. soon...